Why Are Dog Noses Wet?
Updated: May 02, 2023
Dogs love to give licks, but is a wet nose a good thing? Here's why dogs have wet noses and why it's important for their health.
Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?
Anyone who has just been nuzzled by an affectionate dog knows you’ll probably need to wipe your face afterward. Turns out dogs have wet noses for several important reasons, says Pete Lands, DVM, director of emergency and critical care at Saint Francis Veterinary Center in Swedesboro, N.J.
Here’s some of our expert tips for cleaning up after your pets:
First, dogs’ noses secrete mucus, which helps them track smells in the air. “One of the reasons that the noses are going to be wet is because the secretion will come out of the inner part of the nose and sit on the top of the nose,” Lands says.
Another reason? Dogs don’t sweat the way humans do. Their noses act as a cooling mechanism, and evaporating fluid from their nose to help cool their bodies.
Plus: This is why it’s super-important to pick up your dog’s poop before you mow.
Third, you’ve often seen dogs licking their noses. Dogs are so low to the ground they pick up all kinds of dirt and pollen. They lick their noses to fully experience the scent, but also to clean them, Lands says. So that moisture you see also likely includes some saliva. It’s perfectly normal, but you may also be curious about the reasons behind some weird dog behaviors.
Finally, the wetness could come directly from what dogs are smelling. “When they’re outside sticking their nose in things, their nose can get wet because of what they’re sticking it into, whether that’s leaves, plants, puddles, the morning grass,” Lands says. “It’ll get a little bit wet that way.” Learn why you shouldn’t pick up your dog’s poop.
What Does it Mean if Your Dog’s Nose is Dry?
While a wet nose is a healthy sign in your dog, a dry nose isn’t necessarily cause for worry. Young dogs who love to lick are going to have wet noses. But as dogs age, their noses typically become dryer. The dryness could also be a sign that your canine is dehydrated, Lands says. So be sure your dog gets plenty of water.
If the dryness is chronic, however, it could be a sign that your dog may have a skin disease. A dry nose could also indicate a systemic health issue. “It can also be a sign of overall poor health,” Lands says. Plus, check out these 10 really cool pet products you can buy on Amazon.
An extremely wet nose can also be a sign that your dog is sick. Dogs are like humans in that “if we start to get some sort of infection in our nose or upper respiratory infection, our noses can become more moist and we can start getting some mucus buildup on our nose or coming out of our nostrils,” Lands says.
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s nose, since it’s such a big part of how they function. Dogs have about 100 million sensory receptors in their nose, compared to five or six million in humans. And they can use them to do all kinds of great things, from detecting cancer to finding criminals. Learn which 11 items are the most hazardous for your pets.
“It really is a powerful organ,” Lands says.
